DC Superhero Insurance Comedy ‘Powerless’ in Development at NBC

Five different DC dramas will air on the major networks by early 2016, another even resurrected for a surprise crossover, and now the comic company has its eye on a new angle. NBC has put into development Powerless, a — and we’re in no way joking here — workplace comedy set amid the backdrop of DC superheroes and their destructive battles.

Per Deadline, the series will unfold as an Office-type comedy without any actual superheroes, set at “one of the worst insurance companies in America — with the twist being that it also takes place in the universe of DC Comics. The show is about the reality of working life for a normal, powerless person in a world of superheroes and villains.”

It remains unknown how seriously (or often) the potential project would delve into name-brand DC characters, though it seems implicit major names like Batman or Superman would be left off the table. A to Z alum Ben Queen will shepherd the series, which has a pilot production commitment.

Marvel fans will rightly point out the similarity to comic premise Damage Control, but considering NBC’s dismissal of Constantine, and the dire state of its comedy lineup overall, could Powerless work well enough to get NBC back in the comic game, even amid tenuous DC connections?